Abstract
Concrete is a type of construction material in which cement, aggregate, and admixture materials are mixed. When cement is produced, large amounts of substances that impact the environment are emitted during limestone extraction and clinker manufacturing. Additionally, the extraction of natural aggregate causes soil erosion and ecosystem destruction. Furthermore, in the process of transporting raw materials such as cement and aggregate to a concrete production company, and producing concrete in a batch plant, substances with an environmental impact are emitted into the air and water system due to energy use. Considering the fact that the process of producing concrete causes various environmental impacts, an assessment of various environmental impact categories is needed. This study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of concrete in terms of its global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, and abiotic depletion potential (GWP, AP, EP, ODP, POCP, ADP). The tendency was that the higher the strength of concrete, the higher the GWP, POCP, and ADP indices became, whereas the AP and EP indices became slightly lower. As the admixture mixing ratio of concrete increased, the GWP, AP, ODP, ADP, and POCP decreased, but EP index showed a tendency to increase slightly. Moreover, as the recycled aggregate mixing ratio of concrete increased, the AP, EP, ODP, and ADP decreased, while GWP and POCP increased. The GWP and POCP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa) of high strength concrete were found to be about 13% lower than that for its normal strength concrete counterpart. Furthermore, in the case of AP, EP, ODP, and ADP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa), high-strength concrete was found to be about 10%~25% lower than its normal strength counterpart. Among all the environmental impact categories, ordinary cement was found to have the greatest impact on GWP, POCP, and ADP, while aggregate had the most impact on AP, EP, and ODP.
Highlights
Concrete is a construction material manufactured by the mixing of cement, aggregate, mixed water, and admixture materials
In the case of Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), and Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP) per unit compressed strength (1 MPa), high-strength concrete was found to be about 10%~25% lower than its normal strength counterpart
Among all the environmental impact categories, ordinary cement was found to have the greatest impact on global warming potential (GWP), Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP), and ADP, while aggregate had the most impact on AP, EP, and ODP
Summary
Concrete is a construction material manufactured by the mixing of cement, aggregate, mixed water, and admixture materials. In the process of producing cement, which is the main composition material for concrete, do natural resources such as limestone and clay become depleted, but environmental impact substances are emitted during clinker manufacturing through pyro process due to large amounts of energy use [1]. The extraction of natural aggregate can lead to soil erosion or ecosystem destruction, while the waste sludge and wastewater emitted from a concrete batch plant have harmful effects on the water ecosystem [2]. When only a single environmental impact is evaluated, otfh1e4 limited assessment could lead to false interpretations of concrete’s eco-friendliness. The2.p1.rGodoaul cantdseSlceopceteDdeffinoirtioennvironmental impact assessment was ordinary concrete, and based on various funcTtihoenpsroodfuccotnseclreecttee,dcfoornecnrevtireosntmruencttaulriemspaanctdatshseessfmoremntawtiaosnorodfincaornyccroentcereptreo, adnudcbtsaswedeoren selected as majorvafurinouctsiofunnsc.tiConosncorfectoenscirzeeteo, fco1nmcre3tewsatsruscetulerecsteadndasththeefofurmnacttiioonnaofl uconnict.rete products were.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
